Prospective Students

String Auditions

In addition to applying for admission to the University, all applicants interested in pursuing a music degree must perform an audition on
their major instrument prior to their first semester enrolling in music courses. Schedule
your audition by filling out the Online Audition Application (must be submitted no later than one week prior to the audition date). Auditions
serve admission and placement purposes, and are also for talent scholarship consideration.

String scholarships are awarded only to intended music performance or music education
majors.

Accompaniment is encouraged but not required. Applicants may bring their own accompanists,
or call the music department well in advance of the audition for information on USU
accompanists for hire.

Applicants with violin, viola, cello, or bass as their primary instrument considering
a Bachelor of Music in Music Education: Orchestra emphasis, or a Bachelor of Music
in Music Performance: String emphasis, should prepare the following, specific to their
instrument:

Violin

One movement from a Bach Solo Sonata or Partita

One first or third movement from a standard violin concerto (other than a Bach concerto)

A study such as Dont, Gavinies, Kreutzer, Rode, or Paganini

Major and minor scales in 16th notes, three octaves.

Either the Bach solo piece or the concerto movement should be memorized, and compositions
chosen should demonstrate the applicant's ability in phrasing, sustained playing,
and technical facility, including varied bow strokes and tempi.

Viola

One movement from the Bach cello suites

One technical study or etude

One first or third movement from a standard concerto

Major and minor scales in all keys, Quarter note = 80, slurred 3 or 4 per bow.

Either the Bach solo piece or the concerto movement should be memorized, and compositions
chosen should demonstrate the applicant's ability in phrasing, sustained playing,
and technical facility, including varied bow strokes and tempi.

Cello

One movement from the Bach cello suites

One technical study or etude such as the Popper High School for Cello or equivalent

One first or third movement from a standard concerto

Four octave major and minor scales

Both the Bach solo piece and the concerto movement should be memorized, and compositions
chosen should demonstrate the applicant's ability in phrasing, sustained playing,
and technical facility, including varied bow strokes and tempi.

Double Bass

One three octave major scale with arpeggios

Two contrasting movements from the standard solo repertoire

Two orchestral excerpts from the standard orchestral repertoire

One of the solo pieces and the scale should be played from memory. The repertoire
chosen should demonstrate the applicant's ability in phrasing, sustained playing,
and technical facility, including varied bow strokes and tempi.

If travel distance or schedule conflicts prevent you from auditioning live, you may
submit a video recording of your audition. Your video audition must satisfy the audition
requirements specified for your instrument. Click HERE to fill out and submit your “Recorded Audition Submission Form.”